--- Begin Message ---
- From: "eegenebradley" <http://profiles.yahoo.com/eegenebradley>
- Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:56:26 -0000
This just came in 30 minutes ago from Transportation 4 America in Washington, DC. Let's act on this as soon as possible. Lack of action guarantees additional SERVICE CUTS and RATE (FARE) INCREASES at VTA, Caltrain and other transit agencies NATIONWIDE. Additional details are below. Please spread this out as far and wide as (legally and appropriately) possible. -eugene ========== ACTION ITEM ========== A key House Committee is threatening to kill three decades of successful investments in mass transit ? originally started under President Ronald Reagan ? by ending the guarantee for dedicated funding for public transportation, leaving millions of riders already faced with service cuts and fare increases out in the cold. In a stunning development late last night, House leadership and the Ways and Means committee made a shocking attack on transit that would have huge impacts for the millions of people who depend on public transportation each day. They proposed putting every public transportation system in immediate peril by eliminating guaranteed funding for the Mass Transit Account and forcing transit to go begging before Congress for general funds each year ? all while highway spending continues to be guaranteed with protected funds for half a decade at a time. This incredible move would roll back 30+ years of bipartisan federal transportation policy and reverse a decision made by President Reagan in the 1980's to fund our nation's transit system out of a small share of gas tax revenues. This change would mean no more guarantee of funding each year and no long-term stability for public transportation. States, cities, communities and their transit systems could lose billions. Transit is an important component of our nation's transportation system. More people on transit means less congestion, less pollution, and fewer cars on the road. Tell your representative that this unprecedented attack on transit won't stand. http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9453 Thanks for your support, Stephen Lee Davis Deputy Communications Director Transportation for America
--- End Message ---